Friuli and Venice
October 1 - 10, 2024
Feel out the form at the end of the page to reserve your spot.
Once we reach the minimum number of participants we will send the information to put down the deposit.
If you have any questions please reach out to info@italywithluca.com
Day 1: Venice
Arrive at Venice airport and transfer by boat to your hotel.
Join me for a welcome Happy Hour, followed by dinner at a local restaurant near by.
Day 2: Venice's historic downtown
We will start the day with breakfast at the hotel and a full day dedicated to exploring the magical city of Venice, including the famous St. Mark's Basilica and Rialto bridge.
During our visit we will stop at a few Bacari, the typical Venetian bars where we will enjoy a few glasses of wine with a some typical snacks.
Return to the hotel at the end of the day to get ready for dinner at traditional Venetian style restaurant.
Day 3: The islands
Did you know there are islands surrounding Venice?
The island of Burano has a long-established tradition of needle-lace making and it is definitely one of a kind for its very bright colored houses.
We will have some free time for a snack and some shopping and then we'll get back on the boat and head to Torcello, a tiny island famous for the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, with its Venetian-Byzantine mosaics and the Devil's Bridge, an old bridge with no parapets and the stone seat known as the Attila's throne. .
Local seafood will be enjoyed for lunch, and we will end the day with a 2 course dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: The land of Prosecco
Breakfast at the hotel, pack your bags and depart by boat to the mainland.We will then travel by coach for Valdobbiadene and visit one Prosecco winery, tasting and learning about this regional treasure.
We’ll stop in a local restaurant for lunch. In the early afternoon, we are off to Trieste, the Capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Our beautiful hotel will greet us with a welcome happy hour.
This night we will all be off to explore separately for dinner on our own (we will have plenty of recommendations) in beautiful Trieste.
Day 5: Trieste and Castello di Miramare
Day five will greet us with breakfast in the hotel, followed by a morning walking tour of the historic center of Trieste with the magnificent Unità d'Italia square and the 14th century San Giusto Cathedral.
There is something about walking down streets with thousands of years of stories that have unfolded within them.
We’ll enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant-which in true Italian style is typically delizioso!
After lunch, we'll take a private bus to the magnificent castle of Miramare, with incredible architecture and splendid gardens.
After the visit at the Castello, we will return to the city for a group cooking class followed by dinner.
Day 6: Duino and the Rilke Path -
Cooking demo
We’ll enjoy breakfast and possibly have stories to tell of our previous nights exploring, then we will board a private coach, traveling along the scenic coastal road for Duino.
Duino’s beautiful scenic views on the water, and impressive rocky ledges jutting out to the sea tell stories of centuries of tradesmen, nobility and legends. Duino is home to two Castles of note in history, one now in ruins which can be seen on our drive, and the other which we will be able to tour.
We stop driving and begin with a walk along the Rilke path, which includes WWII bunkers and observation posts, breathtaking views and the tour of Castle of Duino at the finish, with its position overlooking the sea.
Then onward towards the Collio DOC wine region, with a stop at a local winery, famous for its wines and local products and splendid cellar.
After a light lunch of local delicacies and wine, we will have time for shopping in Trieste.
Dinner is on your own, but we will have plenty of suggestions. Trieste has some great seafood restaurants as well as some amazing classic Italian pizzerias.
Day 7: Trieste, Grado, Aquileia, Udine
Breakfast and then a coach to the island of Grado, where you will stroll in its historic centre, which refers to its Venetian origins. Free time for some shopping.
Continuation to Aquileia, a Roman empire colony founded in 180 BC. This was once one of the worlds largest cities in the 2nd Century AD, and is now an Unesco world heritage site.
Lunch will include tasting typical Friulan products at a famous local winery.
In the afternoon we will visit Roman ruins, the archeological area and the Patriarchal Basilica.
In the evening we transfer to Udine for dinner and rest in our new hotel.
Day 8: Udine - Cividale - Collio
Enjoy breakfast and depart by coach for Cividale. A guided tour awaits us of its Longobard historical centre and its famous Devil's bridge.
After a local lunch, an afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the Collio wine region which is considered one of the best areas in the world for white wines. We’ll visit a local winery and relax over a tasting.
Later we transfer to Manzano for a visit to the world famous Acetaia Midolini, the largest balsamic vinegar cellar in the world.
In the evening, we end back at the hotel for a typical Friulan dinner and to rest up for our next adventure!
Day 9: Udine - San Daniele - Agli Amici
Breakfast followed by a morning dedicated to visiting the historic center of Udine, which has a rich history from Neolithic times through present day.
Then we transfer to San Daniele, one of the world capitals of Prosciutto.
We’ll have a light lunch with tasting at a local factory to learn how prosciutto is made and at the end visit the historic center.
After returning and freshening up at the hotel, we’ll head to a farewell dinner at the famous “Agli Amici 1887”, two Michelin star restaurant by Chef Emanuele Scarello.
Off to our last night at the hotel and to prepare for returning from our trip in the morning.
Day 10: Udine - Venezia Airport
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out of rooms and transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport in time for your flight. We recommend departure after 11.00am to avoid a very early departure from the airport. Distance from Udine to Venice Airport is 1hour 20minutes.
Hotels
VENEZIA: Hotel Papadopoli ****
TRIESTE: Double Tree by Hilton ****
UDINE: Hotel Astoria ****
Participation fee: 5,500 per person for a double room.
For single rooms there is an extra charge of $800
For a total $6,300
Minimum age required is 18 years old.
Fee includes:
- Overnights in 4 star hotels
- Transportation with private coach or boat as per schedule
- Meals as per schedule
- English speaking local tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Resort/travel taxes
- Luca's cooking demo and Chef's dinner. Luca will also join every excursion with the group.
Fee doesn't include:
- Flight to Italy.
United offers nonstop flights to Venice from Newark.
Delta offers nonstop flights to Venice from JFK.
- Insurance
- Paperwork to enter the country
- Anything not included in the program
- Dinners on your own
- Tips
- Extras
Terms of Payment
- Once the tour is confirmed, 30% of the total
- The balance is due 45 days prior departure date.
Cancellation policy
- 60 days prior departure, 10% fee
- 59-45 days prior departure, 30% fee
- 44-21days prior departure, 70%
- 20- 10 days prior departure, 90%
- 9-0 days prior departure, 100%
Name change on the reservation
- free up to 15 days prior departure
- $50 fee after 15 days prior departure
Dietary resctrictions
The organization will undertake to guarantee the requested diet where possible if the same is reported at the time of booking and or no later than 45 days before departure.
Disclaimer
The tour was designed by Hub Viaggi (your tour operator) in exclusivity for Luca Manfè (your host). All reservations, accommodations and trip arrangements are through Hub Viaggi.
Read the General Conditions Contract